Page 78 - Petelin, Ana. 2021. Ed. Zdravje starostnikov / Health of the Elderly. Proceedings. Koper: University of Primorska Press.
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avje starostnikov | health of the elderly 76 technologies among PEs and SEs, which has been discussed in several studies
(Dolničar et al., 2017; Epstein et al., 2016; Hvalič Touzery et al., 2021; Jaschin-
ski et al., 2021; Jaschinski and Ben Allouch, 2019; Mahoney, 2011; Olsson et al.,
2012; Verloo et al., 2020; Williamson et al., 2017).
With regard to the second objective of the present study, it was found that
although both participants have high ownership of everyday technologies (e.g.,
computers, smartphones), PEs have lower technology competence and interest
in technology than SEs. This is also reflected in a low percentage of PEs and SEs
who rated their ability to use new technologies as poor. Present study also found
that some SEs find dealing with technological innovations overwhelming and
PEs find dealing with new technologies challenging and difficult. Therefore,
the importance of external support from telecare providers when using a tele-
care solution (e.g. installation, maintenance, technical support) is paramount
and this was also expressed by the PEs and SEs in our study who ranked this
support among the top three features of telecare services. These findings con-
firm the need to support both PEs and SEs in using telecare solutions. As evi-
denced by many studies, successful use of telecare solutions requires both in-
itial training and continuous technical support during use, characterised by
high quality, responsiveness and user - friendliness (Epstein et al., 2016; Gib-
son et al., 2019; Jaschinski and Ben Allouch, 2019; Sriram et al., 2019; Verloo et
al., 2020; White et al., 2020; Williamson et al., 2017).
A recent study by Steils et al. (2021) concludes that informal carers are of-
ten an important source of help for older people in using assistive technolo-
gies. A prerequisite for this type of assistance is sufficient technology compe-
tence and openness to new technologies. In our sample of SEs, we found high
levels of technology competence and interest in new technologies, whereas this
was lower in PEs. Therefore, we can conclude that it is important to involve
family members of older individuals in technology adoption, as reported in
previous studies (Jaschinski et al., 2021; Luijkx et al., 2015).
Finally, some difference was found between PEs and SEs in terms of their
interest in the new technologies, with SEs expressing greater interest, which
is consistent with the findings of other studies. As the use of telecare is often
a joint decision between PE and SE (Cook et al., 2018; Jaschinski et al., 2021;
Jaschinski and Ben Allouch, 2019; Luijkx et al., 2015), it is even more important
that SEs support new technologies.
Study limitations
The study design affected the sample size. It is somewhat small, but the sample
has the advantage of including dyads. We invited all interested parties to par-
ticipate. This resulted in an unbalanced distribution of participants in the sam-
ple by educational background. In fact, we have a high proportion of highly ed-
ucated SEs in the sample. Aditionally it is possible that individuals with greater
(Dolničar et al., 2017; Epstein et al., 2016; Hvalič Touzery et al., 2021; Jaschin-
ski et al., 2021; Jaschinski and Ben Allouch, 2019; Mahoney, 2011; Olsson et al.,
2012; Verloo et al., 2020; Williamson et al., 2017).
With regard to the second objective of the present study, it was found that
although both participants have high ownership of everyday technologies (e.g.,
computers, smartphones), PEs have lower technology competence and interest
in technology than SEs. This is also reflected in a low percentage of PEs and SEs
who rated their ability to use new technologies as poor. Present study also found
that some SEs find dealing with technological innovations overwhelming and
PEs find dealing with new technologies challenging and difficult. Therefore,
the importance of external support from telecare providers when using a tele-
care solution (e.g. installation, maintenance, technical support) is paramount
and this was also expressed by the PEs and SEs in our study who ranked this
support among the top three features of telecare services. These findings con-
firm the need to support both PEs and SEs in using telecare solutions. As evi-
denced by many studies, successful use of telecare solutions requires both in-
itial training and continuous technical support during use, characterised by
high quality, responsiveness and user - friendliness (Epstein et al., 2016; Gib-
son et al., 2019; Jaschinski and Ben Allouch, 2019; Sriram et al., 2019; Verloo et
al., 2020; White et al., 2020; Williamson et al., 2017).
A recent study by Steils et al. (2021) concludes that informal carers are of-
ten an important source of help for older people in using assistive technolo-
gies. A prerequisite for this type of assistance is sufficient technology compe-
tence and openness to new technologies. In our sample of SEs, we found high
levels of technology competence and interest in new technologies, whereas this
was lower in PEs. Therefore, we can conclude that it is important to involve
family members of older individuals in technology adoption, as reported in
previous studies (Jaschinski et al., 2021; Luijkx et al., 2015).
Finally, some difference was found between PEs and SEs in terms of their
interest in the new technologies, with SEs expressing greater interest, which
is consistent with the findings of other studies. As the use of telecare is often
a joint decision between PE and SE (Cook et al., 2018; Jaschinski et al., 2021;
Jaschinski and Ben Allouch, 2019; Luijkx et al., 2015), it is even more important
that SEs support new technologies.
Study limitations
The study design affected the sample size. It is somewhat small, but the sample
has the advantage of including dyads. We invited all interested parties to par-
ticipate. This resulted in an unbalanced distribution of participants in the sam-
ple by educational background. In fact, we have a high proportion of highly ed-
ucated SEs in the sample. Aditionally it is possible that individuals with greater
